The United States Attorney for the
District of Connecticut announced that Corey Calbert, also known as “Bump,” 32,
of Windsor, formerly of Simsbury and Bloomfield, was sentenced today by Senior
United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 87 months of
imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release, for distributing
crack cocaine.
This matter stems from Operation
Northern Strike, a 15-month joint law enforcement investigation targeting
members and associates of geographically-based street gangs engaging in
criminal activity in Hartford’s Upper Albany and Northeast neighborhoods. The
investigation included the use of court-authorized wiretaps on multiple
telephones, controlled purchases of narcotics, and physical surveillance. As a
result of the investigation, 35 individuals were charged with various federal
drug and firearms violations.
According to court documents and
statements made in court, one of the initial targets of the investigation was
Joseph Smith, also known as “Nitty.” The investigation revealed that Calbert
regularly supplied Smith with distribution quantities of crack cocaine. Between
March and May 2010, investigators intercepted numerous calls between Calbert
and Smith during which they arranged to meet on at least 10 occasions to
conduct apparent narcotics transactions. Investigators also intercepted calls
between Smith and other co-defendants during which Smith discussed the quantity
of crack cocaine he was obtaining from “Bump” and the price that Calbert was
charging for the drugs.
After his arrest in this case, and while
he was released on bond, Calbert resided with his mother in the Weatogue
section of Simsbury. On February 28, 2012, Calbert accepted delivery of a
package containing approximately one kilogram of cocaine that had been sent
through the U.S. Mail to his residence.
On June 12, 2012, Calbert pleaded guilty
to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to
distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base (“crack cocaine”).
On June 29, 2011, Smith pleaded guilty
to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute
280 grams or more of cocaine base. He awaits sentencing.
This matter is being investigated by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Northern Connecticut Violent Crimes Gang Task
Force—which includes representatives of the FBI, Connecticut State Police, and
Hartford Police Department—and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case is being prosecuted by
Assistant United States Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Geoffrey M. Stone.
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